JP2011175407A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To help a user to recognize as many as functions as possible mounted in a device. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is capable of executing the plurality of functions, including a display unit capable of displaying help information related to each function of the plurality of functions. The apparatus includes: a display frequency measurement device for measuring a display frequency at which the help information is displayed on the display unit, and storing the display frequency in each help information; a display order determiner sequentially determining display order from the help information having a small display frequency stored by the display frequency measurement device; and a display controller making the help information be displayed on the display unit in the display order determined by the display order determiner when making a variety of help information be displayed on the display unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile, various functions and execution conditions are set using an operation screen. In recent years, image forming apparatuses have become more multifunctional, and accordingly, the setting contents of various functions have increased, and the setting operation has become complicated. Therefore, in order to improve user convenience, an image forming apparatus that displays a help screen showing explanations of various functions is known.

  In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, the frequency of use of the function by the user is high, and the function setting difficulty level indicating the difficulty level of the operation when the user sets the function is in order from the help information item. Display on the help screen. Thereby, the load which reaches | attains the item of the function which a user desires reduces.

JP 2006-146781 A

  However, since the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 displays the help screen in order from the help information item having a high use frequency and a low function setting difficulty, a function that has not been used by the user, or Help information related to a function that the user does not know is not easily recognized by the user, and the possibility that the function is used by the user is very low.

  In other words, the more functions that are implemented in the device, the smaller the number of functions recognized by the user, and as a result, the function that ends its role without being recognized by the user. There is a problem that the number of people increases.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that allows a user to recognize as many functions installed in the apparatus as possible.

  In order to achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus having a display unit capable of executing a plurality of functions and capable of displaying help information regarding each function of the plurality of functions. The number of times the help information is displayed on the display unit is measured, the number of display times stored for each help information, and the number of display times stored by the display number measuring means is small. Display order determining means for determining a display order in order from help information, and when displaying a plurality of the help information on the display section, the help information is displayed on the display section in the display order determined by the display order determining means. Display control means for displaying.

  Here, the help information regarding each function is information such as the contents of each function and the operation method for executing each function. The display order determining means determines the display order in order from the help information with the smallest display count, with the help information with the display count of 0 being the help information with the smallest display count.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the function includes a basic function and a plurality of small functions obtained by subdividing the basic function. , Measuring the number of times the help information related to the basic function is displayed and the number of times the help information related to the small function is displayed, and storing it for each help information. Measures the number of executions of the sub-functions subdivided, and stores the number of executions. The display order determination unit has a predetermined number of executions measured by the execution number measurement means. Of the help information related to the basic function that has become more than the number of times and the small function into which the basic function is subdivided, the help information with a small number of display times stored by the display number measuring means And determining the display order on the order from.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the function includes a basic function and a plurality of small functions obtained by subdividing the basic function, and the display count measurement The means measures the number of times the help information related to the basic function is displayed and the number of times the help information related to the small function is displayed, and stores it for each help information. Hierarchical storage means for storing a hierarchical structure having the plurality of small functions into which the basic functions are subdivided as lower layers, and display information related to the plurality of basic functions or display information related to the small functions, the hierarchical storage means Based on the hierarchical structure stored in step (b), the hierarchical display means for displaying on the display unit and the display information on the small function displayed on the display unit, Higher order transition means for accepting a transition instruction to display information related to basic functions stored in the hierarchical storage means as a rank layer, and when the display order determination means accepts a transition instruction by the higher order transition means, Of the help information related to the basic function, the display order is determined in order from the help information with the smaller display count stored by the display count measuring means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, from the display information related to the basic function displayed on the display unit, stored in the hierarchical storage unit as a lower layer of the basic function. Subordinate transition means for accepting a transition instruction to display information relating to a small function, wherein the display order determining means is configured to display the subordinate transition in a state in which display information relating to the basic function is displayed by accepting a transition instruction by the superior transition means. When the transition instruction is received by the means, the display order is determined in order from the help information with the smaller display count stored by the display count measurement means among the help information related to the basic function and the small function.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third or fourth aspect, the display order includes an unexecuted detection unit that detects an unexecuted function that is not executed among the plurality of small functions. The determining means determines the display order in order from the help information with a small display count stored by the display count measuring means among the help information related to the non-executed functions detected by the non-execution detecting means, and the display control means Only the help information related to the unexecuted function is displayed on the display unit in the display order determined by the display order determining means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, communication with an information processing apparatus capable of displaying help information related to each of the plurality of functions is possible. Command receiving means for receiving an execution command for instructing execution of each function from a processing device, determination means for determining whether or not the execution command has been received by the command receiving means, and the display control means include: If it is determined that the execution command has been received, a display command transmission unit that transmits a display command to the information processing device to display the help information in the display order determined by the display order determination unit; It is characterized by providing.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the number of times the help information related to each of a plurality of functions is displayed on the display unit is measured and stored for each help information, and the help information is displayed in order from the smallest number of displays. The order is determined. When a plurality of help information is displayed on the display unit, the plurality of help information is displayed on the display unit in the determined display order. As a result, among a plurality of functions implemented in the apparatus, the help information is displayed in order from the smallest display count, so that as many functions as possible can be recognized by the user.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the number of times the help information related to the basic function is displayed and the number of times the help information related to the small function is displayed are measured and stored for each help information. In addition, for each basic function, the number of executions of a small function obtained by subdividing each basic function is measured and stored. Then, the display order is determined in order from the help information with the smallest number of display times among the help information regarding the basic function whose number of executions is equal to or greater than the predetermined number and the small function obtained by subdividing the basic function. In general, in a function group with high execution frequency, functions executed by a user are often fixed, and functions that are not executed are likely to end their roles without being recognized by the user. Therefore, since the help information related to the basic functions that are frequently executed by the user and the small functions in which the basic functions are subdivided, the help information is displayed in ascending order of the number of display times. Among them, it is possible to efficiently recognize a function that is highly likely not recognized by the user.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the number of times the help information related to the basic function is displayed and the number of times the help information related to the small function is displayed are measured and stored for each help information. And a hierarchical structure having a plurality of small functions whose basic functions are subdivided as lower layers is stored. Also, display information related to a plurality of basic functions or display information related to small functions is changed based on the hierarchical structure and displayed on the display unit. Then, when a transition instruction from the display information related to the small function displayed on the display unit to the display information related to the basic function that is an upper layer of the small function is received, the number of times of display is small in the help information related to the basic function. The display order is determined in order from the help information. Generally, when receiving an instruction to transition to display information corresponding to a basic function that is an upper layer of a small function corresponding to display information displayed on the display unit, if the user makes a mistake or if the user wants It can be assumed that the operation to be performed is not known. Therefore, among the help information related to the basic function corresponding to the display information of the transition destination that received the transition instruction, the functions that are likely not to be recognized by the user are surely displayed by displaying the help information in the order of the smallest display count. Can be recognized.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the display information related to the basic function is received by receiving a transition instruction from the display information related to the small function displayed on the display unit to the display information related to the basic function which is an upper layer of the small function. In the displayed state, when a transition instruction to display information related to a small function that is a lower layer of the basic function is received, the display order is determined in order from the help information with the smallest display count among the help information related to the basic function and the small function. Is done. In general, in the state in which the display information related to the basic function is displayed in response to an instruction for transition to the display information related to the basic function that is an upper layer of the small function corresponding to the display information displayed on the display unit, When a transition instruction to display information related to a small function that is a layer is received, it can be assumed that the user does not know an operation related to the basic function and the small function. Therefore, among the help information related to the basic function and the small function for which the transition instruction has been received, by displaying in order from the help information with the smallest display count, it is possible to more reliably recognize the function that is likely not recognized by the user. it can.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, an unexecuted unexecuted function is detected from among a plurality of small functions, and the help information about the detected unexecuted function is displayed in order from the help information with the smallest display count. The order is determined. Then, only the help information related to the unexecuted functions is displayed on the display unit in the determined display order. Thereby, since the help information regarding the function that is not executed by the user is surely displayed, it is possible to make the user recognize as many unexecuted functions as possible.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, communication is possible with an information processing apparatus capable of displaying help information related to each function of a plurality of functions, and an execution command for instructing execution of each function is received from the information processing apparatus A display command for displaying the help information on the information processing apparatus is transmitted to the information processing apparatus in order from the help information having the smallest display count. In general, when an execution command is received from an information processing device, it is highly likely that the user continues to operate the information processing device. By displaying help information on the information processing device, the user can be sure to have as many functions as possible. Can be recognized.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment. (A) is an explanatory view showing a list of all functions related to the copy function of the MFP according to the present embodiment, and (B) is an explanatory view showing the number of display times related to each piece of help information. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen data displayed on a display unit of an MFP according to the present embodiment, in which (A) to (D) are menu screen data display examples, and (E) to (H) are menu items. FIG. The display example of the new arrival help screen data corresponding to each of screen data (A)-(D) is shown. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the new arrival help screen data displayed on the display part of MFP based on this embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing main processing of the MFP in the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating new arrival help display processing on the MFP side in the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the new arrival help display process by the side of PC in this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, as an image forming apparatus of the present invention, a multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP (Multi)” that can communicate with a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 50 which is an example of an information processing apparatus of the present invention. (Function Peripheral) ”) will be described as an example.

<System configuration>
An image forming system 1 configured so that the MFP 10 and the PC 50 can communicate with each other will be described with reference to FIG. In the image forming system 1, the MFP 10 and the PC 50 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 4 so that data can be transmitted and received. The connection method between the MFP 10 and the PC 50 is not limited to the LAN 4 and may be USB connection or parallel connection.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of each apparatus will be described. First, the MFP 10 will be described. The MFP 10 includes a control unit 12, a storage unit 14, an operation unit 28, a display unit 30, a printing unit 32, a scanner unit 34, a facsimile unit 36, a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network I / F”). 38). The control unit 12 controls fixed values, programs, and the like stored in the storage unit 14.

  The operation unit 28 includes, for example, a direction key, a numeric keyboard capable of inputting characters, a confirmation button, and the like, and realizes a function as an input interface for receiving various instructions from the user of the MFP 10. The display unit 30 displays various information such as help information, for example. The display unit 20 has menu screen data 40 for executing each function (corresponding to display information of the present invention) (see FIGS. 3A to 3D) or a help screen for displaying help information. Data is displayed. By the operation of the operation unit 28, transition of the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 is realized based on a hierarchical structure formed by a plurality of functions to be described later. Note that the help screen data displayed on the display unit 30 may also be changed based on a hierarchical structure formed by a plurality of functions to be described later by the operation of the operation unit 28.

  In the menu screen data 40, a help button 304, a new arrival help button 306, and the like (see FIGS. 3A to 3D) are displayed. When an execution command is given to the help button 304 by the operation unit 28, the help screen data including the details of help information, which will be described later, or items of help information is displayed. Here, the execution command for the help button 304 indicates that the user selects the help button 304. Since the help information display method when an execution command is issued to the help button 304 is the same as the well-known help display method, detailed description thereof is omitted. When an execution command is given to the new arrival help button 306 by the operation unit 28, a help screen composed of detailed contents of help information described later or items of help information based on a new arrival help display process (see FIGS. 6 and 7) described later. Data (hereinafter referred to as “new arrival help screen data”) 42 (see FIGS. 3E to 3H) is displayed. In the present embodiment, the new arrival help screen data 42 is created every time an execution command is given to the new arrival help button 306 by a new arrival help display process (see FIGS. 6 and 7) described later.

  The printing unit 32 prints various data stored in the storage unit 14. The scanner unit 34 reads a recording medium placed on a document table (not shown). The facsimile unit 36 connects the MFP 10 to the public network 70 and executes transmission / reception of facsimile data to / from other facsimile apparatuses. The network I / F 38 connects the MFP 10 to the LAN 4, and executes various data transmission / reception with the PC 50, for example.

  The storage unit 14 includes a ROM 16, a RAM 20, and a flash memory 22. The ROM 16 is a non-rewritable memory that stores the control program 17 executed by the MFP 10, the help information memory 18, and the like. The control unit 12 executes main processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 and new arrival help display processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 according to the control program 17.

  The help information memory 18 is a memory area in which a plurality of help information relating to each of a plurality of functions provided in the MFP 10 is stored in association with each function. The help information related to each of the plurality of functions is information such as the contents of each function and the operation method for executing each function. The help button 304 or the new help button is operated by the operation unit 28 or the operation unit 58 of the PC 50 described later. When an execution command is issued to 306, it is displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 of the PC 50 described later. In the present embodiment, the help information memory 18 stores one help information associated with one function, but a plurality of help information may be stored associated with one function. . The help information includes a title and detailed contents. For example, when help information items are displayed in a list, the help information titles are displayed in a list.

  The RAM 20 is a rewritable volatile memory for temporarily storing various data. The flash memory 22 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The flash memory 22 includes a functional hierarchy memory 23 (corresponding to the hierarchical storage means of the present invention), a display count memory 24, an execution count memory 25, and an executed flag memory 26.

  The functional hierarchy memory 23 is a memory area in which a hierarchical structure formed by a plurality of functions of the MFP 10 is stored. In this embodiment, the plurality of functions of the MFP 10 include a plurality of basic functions and a plurality of small functions obtained by subdividing the basic functions. A hierarchical structure is formed in which a plurality of basic functions are set as an upper layer and a small function obtained by subdividing each basic function is set as a lower layer, and this hierarchical structure is stored in the function hierarchy memory 23.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram hierarchically showing a list of all functions related to the copy function of the MFP 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the function hierarchy memory 23 stores a list of all functions hierarchically shown for a plurality of functions of the MFP 10. In this embodiment, in FIG. 2A, the basic functions are a basic copy 202, a watermark copy 204, and a label copy 206, and the basic copy 202 is subdivided into small functions such as a magnification 208, image quality 210, and paper. 212, double-sided / single-sided 214, and color / monochrome 216 are configured as lower layers. Similarly, text 218, position 220, size 222, rotation 224, and color 226 are configured in the lower layers of watermark copy 204 as small functions that subdivide watermark copy 204. As a small function obtained by subdividing the label copy 206, a label size 228 and a magnification 230 are configured in a lower layer of the label copy 206. A large function may exist as an upper layer of a plurality of basic functions. For example, in FIG. 2A, the copy function 200 is a large function configured in the upper layer of the basic functions of the basic copy 202, the watermark copy 204, and the label copy 206.

  The function hierarchy memory 23 stores menu screen data 40 corresponding to each hierarchy in association with the hierarchy structure. For example, in FIG. 2A, the menu screen data 40 relating to the basic functions including the basic copy 202, the watermark copy 204, and the label copy 206 is the menu screen data 40 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C. It is. The menu screen data 40 relating to the small functions of the lower layers of the basic copy 202 composed of the magnification 208, the image quality 210, the paper 212, the duplex / single-sided 214, and the color / monochrome 216 are shown in FIGS. 3B and 3D. Menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. The menu screen data 40 corresponding to each layer is transitioned based on the hierarchical structure stored in the functional layer memory 23 and displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 (corresponding to the layer display means of the present invention).

  The function hierarchy memory 23 also stores help screen data that is displayed in response to an execution command for the help button 304 in association with the hierarchy structure. In the present embodiment, the help screen data is composed of help information related to basic functions or small functions constituting each layer. That is, the function hierarchy memory 23 stores help screen data corresponding to each hierarchy in association with the hierarchy structure. In the present embodiment, the help screen data displayed when an execution command is issued to the help button 304 is configured by help information regarding basic functions or small functions constituting each layer, but the present invention is not limited to this. The MFP 10 may be configured by a plurality of functions regardless of the hierarchical structure. In such a case, the help screen data displayed when the execution command for the help button 304 is issued may be stored in the ROM 16 or the flash memory 22 without being associated with the hierarchical structure.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the hierarchical structure stored in the functional hierarchy memory 23 is a large function layer, a basic function layer that is a lower layer of the large function, and a lower layer of the basic function. It is assumed that it has a three-layered hierarchical structure consisting of layers of small functions that are layers. When an execution command for a large function is issued in a state where the menu screen data 40 regarding the large function is displayed, the menu screen data 40 regarding the basic function which is a lower layer is displayed. In the state where the menu screen data 40 related to the basic function is displayed, when an execution command is issued for any of the basic functions, the menu screen data 40 related to the small function obtained by subdividing the basic function for which the execution command has been issued is displayed. (Corresponding to the lower transition means of the present invention). When an execution command is issued for any of the small functions in a state where the menu screen data 40 relating to the function of the lower layer of the small function is displayed, the menu screen data 40 (detailed setting contents in the small function for which the execution command has been issued) (Not shown) is displayed.

  Specifically, for example, when an execution command is issued for the basic copy 202 in a state where the menu screen data 40 (see FIG. 3A) relating to the basic function is displayed, the basic copy 202 is related to a small function that is subdivided. Menu screen data 40 (see FIG. 3B) is displayed. In the state where the menu screen data 40 relating to the small function obtained by subdividing the basic copy 202 is displayed, for example, when an execution command for the magnification 208 is given, the menu screen data 40 indicating the detailed setting contents in the magnification (not shown) Is displayed.

  The display count memory 24 is a memory area in which the number of times each piece of help information related to a plurality of basic functions and small functions is displayed on the display unit 30 or a display unit 56 of the PC 50 described later is stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the display count memory 24 stores each help information and the display count at which the help information is displayed in association with each other.

  In the present embodiment, when the detailed content in the help information is displayed, “1” is added to the display count stored in the display count memory 24 in association with the help information, and the display count is updated. . When the detailed content of the help information is displayed on the display unit 56 of the PC 50, an update command for updating the display count corresponding to the help information is received from the PC 50. The update command is an instruction to add “1” to the display count stored in the display count memory 24 in association with the help information on which the detailed content is displayed, and to update the display count. When this update command is received by the MFP 10, “1” is added to the display count corresponding to the help information on which the detailed content is displayed based on the update command, and the display count is updated.

  The execution count memory 25 is a memory area in which the number of times each of the plurality of small functions is executed is stored. The execution frequency memory 25 stores the total number of executions of each of the plurality of small functions into which each basic function is subdivided as the execution count Tn of each basic function in association with each basic function. For example, in FIG. 2A, the total number of executions of each function of the label copy 206, the label size 228, and the magnification 230 is the number of executions Tn of the label copy 206, which is a basic function. Tn is stored in the execution count memory 25 in association with the label copy 206.

  The executed flag memory 26 is a memory area in which an executed flag is stored in association with each of a plurality of small functions. The executed flag is a flag indicating whether or not each small function is actually executed in the MFP 10. When the executed flag is on, it indicates that the small function stored in association with the executed flag memory 26 is actually executed in the MFP 10. That is, the menu screen data 40 indicating the detailed setting contents in the small function is displayed on the display unit 30. On the other hand, when the executed flag is off, it indicates that the small function stored in association with the executed flag memory 26 has never been executed by the MFP 10, that is, the small function is an unexecuted function. . In this embodiment, an executed flag is set for each of a plurality of small functions. For example, an executed flag is also set for a basic function such as the basic copy 202 shown in FIG. May be. In such a case, the executed flag for the basic function is always off. In the present embodiment, when the executed flag is on, it indicates that the menu screen data 40 indicating the detailed setting contents in the small function is displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56. In a state where the menu screen data 40 indicating the setting content is displayed, it may be indicated that the detailed setting of the small function has been changed by the operation unit 28 or the operation unit 58.

  Next, the PC 50 will be described. The PC 50 includes a control unit 52, a storage unit 54, a display unit 56, an operation unit 58, and a network I / F 60. The control unit 52 controls fixed values and programs stored in the storage unit 54. Moreover, the control part 52 performs the new arrival help display process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 according to the control program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 54 mentioned later.

  The storage unit 54 is configured by a hard disk or a non-volatile memory (EEPROM), and stores a control program executed by the PC 50, various data created by the PC 50, and the like. The display unit 56 displays various information such as help information received from the MFP 10, for example. In the present embodiment, upon receiving a display command (to be described later) from the MFP 10, the control unit 52 displays various information on the display unit 56 based on the received display command. The operation unit 58 includes, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and realizes a function as an input interface for various commands.

  Similar to the MFP 10, the display unit 56 displays menu screen data 40 for executing each function or help screen data for displaying help information. Similar to the MFP 10, the operation unit 58 realizes transition of the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 56 based on a hierarchical structure formed by a plurality of functions to be described later. Note that the help screen data displayed on the display unit 56 may also be transitioned by the operation unit 58 based on a hierarchical structure formed by a plurality of functions to be described later.

  In the menu screen data 40, a help button, a new arrival help button, and the like are displayed as in the MFP 10. When the help button is selected by the operation unit 58, the help screen data including the detailed contents of the help information or the help information items is displayed. When the new help button is selected by the operation unit 58, the help screen data including the detailed contents of the help information or the help information items is displayed based on the new help display process (see FIG. 7) described later.

  The network I / F 60 connects the PC 5010 to the LAN 4 and executes, for example, transmission / reception of various data to / from the MFP 10 via the LAN 4.

<Operation of Embodiment>
Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(Main process)
First, a main process executed by the control unit 12 of the MFP 10 will be described with reference to FIG. This main process is a process that is executed when the control unit 12 receives an execution command for any function when the menu screen data 40 is displayed on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10 or the display unit 56 of the PC 50. . That is, when an execution command for any of the functions displayed on the display unit 30 is received by the operation unit 28 of the MFP 10, or for any of the functions displayed on the display unit 56 by the operation unit 58 of the PC 50. It is executed when an execution command is received (corresponding to the command receiving means of the present invention).

  In the present embodiment, when the control unit 12 receives an execution command for any function, the control unit 12 stores the function that has received the execution command in the RAM 20. In addition, the control unit 12 determines whether the received execution command is issued from the MFP 10 or the PC 50 (corresponding to a determination unit of the present invention), and stores the result in the RAM 20. The control unit 12 stores the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 in the RAM 20 when the execution command is received.

  First, based on the execution command received at the start of execution of the main process, the control unit 12 executes a function process corresponding to the execution command (S500). In S500, first, the control unit 12 determines whether the function that has received the execution command is a basic function or a small function. When the function that has received the execution command is a basic function, the control unit 12 is configured based on the hierarchical structure stored in the functional hierarchy memory 23 and is configured as a lower layer of the basic function corresponding to the execution command. The menu screen data 40 on which the small functions are displayed is read from the function hierarchy memory 23 and displayed on the display unit 30. On the other hand, when the function that has received the execution command is a small function, the control unit 12 displays menu screen data 40 (not shown) indicating the detailed setting contents of the small function on the display unit 30.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3A is displayed on the display unit 30, the control unit 12 receives an execution command for the basic copy 202, Menu screen data 40 consisting of magnification 208, image quality 210, paper 212, duplex / single-sided 214, and color / monochrome 216 in the lower layer of the basic copy 202 is displayed.

  In S502, the control unit 12 determines whether the function executed in S500 is a small function. If the executed function is determined not to be a small function (S502: NO), the control unit 12 The process proceeds to S508.

  When it is determined that the executed function is a small function (S502: YES), the control unit 12 adds “1” to the number of executions Tn of the basic function having a hierarchical structure as an upper layer of the small function. (Tn + 1), the execution count Tn stored in the execution count memory 25 in association with the basic function is updated (S504). Then, the executed flag stored in the executed flag memory 26 in association with the executed small function is turned on and updated (S506).

  Based on the execution count memory 25, the control unit 12 determines whether or not there is a basic function whose execution count is equal to or greater than a predetermined count (S508). The predetermined number of times is stored in the flash memory 22 in advance. In the present embodiment, 10 is adopted as the predetermined number of times, but the present invention is not limited to this. When there is no basic function whose number of executions is greater than or equal to the predetermined number (S508: NO), the control unit 12 ends this process.

  If there is a basic function whose number of executions is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S508: YES), the control unit 12 displays whether the basic function or a small function in a lower layer of the basic function is displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 It is determined whether or not (S510). Specifically, in S510, the control unit 12 adds the basic function whose number of executions is a predetermined number or more to the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 or a subdivision of the basic function. It is determined whether or not at least one function is displayed. As a result of the determination, if the basic function whose number of executions is greater than or equal to the predetermined number of times or the small function of the lower layer of the basic function is not displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 (S510: NO), the control unit 12 End the process.

  When a basic function whose number of executions is greater than or equal to the predetermined number of times or a small function in a lower layer of the basic function is displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 (S510: YES), the control unit 12 performs a new arrival help process described later. (S512) is executed, and this process is terminated.

(New help processing)
Next, the new arrival help display process of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the new arrival help display process (S512) in the MFP 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the new arrival help display process, first, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the execution command received in the main process (see FIG. 5) has been issued from the PC 50 (S600). Specifically, in S600, the control unit 12 reads out a determination result as to whether the execution command stored in the RAM 20 at the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5) is from the MFP 10 or the PC 50.

  As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the execution command is not from the PC 50 (S600: NO), the control unit 12 displays a new arrival help button 306 (see FIGS. 3A to 3D) on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10. (S602). Specifically, the control unit 12 displays the menu screen data 40 configured by adding a new help button 306 to the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 on the display unit 30 (FIG. 3A). ) To (D)). The menu screen data 40 configured by adding the new help button 306 may be created by the control unit 12 as needed in the process of S602, or may be stored in the flash memory 22 in advance, and the control unit 12 may store the flash memory. 22 may be read out.

  When it is determined that the execution command is from the PC 50 (S600: YES), the control unit 12 transmits a new arrival help button display command to the PC 50 (S604). The new arrival button display command is information indicating an instruction to display a new arrival help button (not shown) on the display unit 56 of the PC 50, similarly to the new arrival help button 306 displayed on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10. The display method of the new help button is the same as that of the MFP 10 shown in S602.

  The control unit 12 determines whether or not there is an input for the new arrival help button (S606). The input to the new arrival help button is an execution command for the new arrival help button 306 by the operation unit 28 of the MFP 10 or an execution command by the operation unit 58 for the new arrival help button displayed on the display unit 56 of the PC 50. That is, in S606, the control unit 12 detects whether or not an execution command for the new arrival help button 306 displayed on the display unit 30 is detected, or issues an execution command for the new arrival help button 306 displayed on the display unit 56 from the PC 50. It is determined whether or not it has been received. When it is determined that there is no input to the new arrival help button 306 (S606: NO), the control unit 12 ends this process.

  If it is determined that there is an input to the new arrival help button 306 (S606: YES), the control unit 12 is an input for returning the previous operation for accepting an execution command related to the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5). It is determined whether or not (S610). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the menu screen data 40 has a return button 300. When an execution command is given to the return button 300, the control unit 12 displays the menu screen data 40 displayed immediately before the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 is displayed. That is, the control unit 12 reads out and displays the menu screen data 40 stored in the functional layer memory 23 in association with the upper layer of the layer corresponding to the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 ( Equivalent to the upper transition means of the present invention). Also on the display unit 56 of the PC 50, a return button (not shown) is displayed as in the display unit 30 of the MFP 10.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, when the menu screen data 40 illustrated in FIG. 3B is displayed on the display unit 30, the control unit 12 receives an execution command for the return button 300. Menu screen data 40 including a basic copy 202, a watermark copy 204, and a label copy 206 configured as an upper layer of the magnification 208, image quality 210, paper 212, duplex / single-sided 214, and color / monochrome 216 is displayed.

  The return input is an execution command for the return button 300. In the present embodiment, the functions for which the control unit 12 has received the execution command are stored in the RAM 20 in association with each other in the received order. In step S610, the control unit 12 determines whether the function received by the control unit 12 immediately before the execution command related to the start of execution of the main process including the new arrival help display process is an execution command for the return button 300. to decide.

  When it is determined that there is no input to return before the control unit 12 receives the execution command (S610: NO), the control unit 12 proceeds to step S616. When it is determined that there is an input to be returned before the control unit 12 receives the execution command (S610: YES), the control unit 12 inputs the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 to return. It is determined whether or not the menu screen data 40 is sometimes displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 (S612).

  When it is determined that the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 is not the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 at the time of the return input (S612: NO), control is performed. The unit 12 moves the step process to S616. The case where the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 is not the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 at the time of the return input is, for example, the following case It is. First, in a state where the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3A is displayed, the control unit 15 receives an execution command for the basic copy 202 and displays the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. Next, in a state where the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3B is displayed, the control unit 15 accepts a return input and displays the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. In the state where the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3C is displayed, the control unit 15 receives an execution command for the label copy 206 and relates to the label size 228 and the magnification 230 obtained by subdividing the label copy 206. This is a case where menu screen data 40 (not shown) is displayed. In such a case, the menu screen data 40 related to the label size 228 and the magnification 230 displayed on the display unit 30 is different from the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. Yes.

  As a result of the determination in S612 shown in FIG. 6, it is determined that the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 is the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 at the time of input. When it is performed (S612: YES), the control unit 12 reads the function displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 after the return input (S614). Specifically, in S614, the control unit 12 first reads the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 from the RAM 20 based on the return input. The control unit 12 then subdivides the basic functions determined in S508 shown in FIG. 5 that the number of executions is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of functions included in the read menu screen data 40 and the basic functions that are subdivided. Read function. Note that the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 based on the return input is based on the layer corresponding to the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56. Menu screen data 40 corresponding to the upper layer may be read from the memory 23.

  The control unit 2 reads the function displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 (S616). Specifically, among the functions included in the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56, the control unit 12 determines that the number of executions is a predetermined number or more in S508 shown in FIG. A basic function and a small function obtained by subdividing the basic function are read out.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 3, step processes S <b> 610 to S <b> 616 will be described using the following display example K as an example. In the display example K, first, the control unit 15 receives an execution command for the copy 200 and displays the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. Next, in a state where the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3A is displayed, the control unit 15 receives an execution command for the basic copy 202 and displays the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. . Next, in a state where the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3B is displayed, the control unit 15 accepts a return input and displays the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. When the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3C is displayed, the control unit 15 receives the execution command for the basic copy 202 and displays the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. It is. In the case of display example K, the menu screen data 40 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C and the menu screen data 40 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3D are the same.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 12 stores in the RAM 20 the function that has received the execution command and the menu screen data 40 that is displayed on the display unit 30 when the execution command is received. Therefore, in the case of the display example K, the control unit 12 stores the menu screen data 40 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D in the RAM 20. Further, the control unit 12 performs functions received by the control unit 12 after the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3A is displayed until the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. It is stored in the RAM 20 in association with the menu screen data 40.

  In the display example K, when the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3D is displayed, a case is considered in which the control unit 12 determines in S606 shown in FIG. In such a case, when the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3C is displayed, an execution command for the basic copy 202 received by the control unit 15 is received at the start of execution of the main process shown in FIG. Execution command, that is, an execution command related to the start of execution of the main process. In S508 illustrated in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the control unit 12 determines that the number of executions of each of the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204, which are basic functions, is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

  In S610, in the display example K, in a state where the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3C is displayed, before the control unit 15 receives an execution command for the basic copy 202, specifically, FIG. In the state where the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, there is an input to return (S610: YES), the control unit 12 moves the step process to S612. The menu screen data 40 (see FIG. 3D) displayed on the display unit 30 is the menu screen data 40 (see FIG. 3B) displayed at the time of the return input (S612: YES). The control unit 12 moves the step process to S614.

  The control unit 12 reads the function included in the menu screen data 40 (see FIG. 3C) displayed on the display unit 30 after the return input (S614). That is, the control unit 12 selects the basic copy 202 and the watermark that are executed a predetermined number of times or more out of the basic copy 202, the watermark copy 204, and the label copy 206 that constitute the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. Read copy 204.

  The control unit 12 reads out the function included in the menu screen data 40 (see FIG. 3D) displayed on the display unit 30 (S616). That is, the magnification 208, the image quality 210, the paper 212, the duplex / single-sided 214, and the color / monochrome 216 constituting the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3D are all small functions in which the basic copy 202 is subdivided. Therefore, the control unit 12 reads the magnification 208, the image quality 210, the paper 212, the duplex / single-sided 214, and the color / monochrome 216.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. The control unit 12 detects an unexecuted function from the functions read in S614 and S616 (S618). Specifically, the control unit 12 refers to the executed flag memory 26, and among the functions read in S614 and S616, the function for which the executed flag stored in association with each function is OFF is an unexecuted function. Detect as. In this embodiment, an executed flag is set for the small function, and in S618, for example, a basic function such as the basic copy 202 is always detected as an unexecuted function.

  The control unit 12 reads help information related to the unexecuted function detected in S618 from the help information memory 18, and reads the display count stored in the display count memory 24 in association with the help information (S620). Based on the read display count, the control unit 12 determines the display order in order from the help information with the smallest display count (S622). In step S622, the control unit 12 stores the determined display order and the read help information in the RAM 20 in association with each other. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the help information whose display count is 0 is the smallest display count.

  Similarly to S600, the control unit 12 determines whether or not an execution command related to the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5) is issued from the PC 50 (S624). When it is determined that the execution command is not from the PC 50 (S624: NO), the control unit 12 reads the help information memory 18 stored in the RAM 20 in S622, and displays the help information on the display unit 30 in the display order determined in S622. Are displayed (S626). That is, in S626, the control unit 12 creates new help screen data 42 in which the titles of the read help information are arranged in the display order determined in S622, as shown in FIGS. Are displayed on the display unit 30.

  The control unit 12 determines whether there is an execution command for the help information (S627). In S627, the control unit 12 determines whether or not an execution command for the help information item of the new arrival help screen data 42 displayed on the display unit 30 in S626 is detected. When it is determined that there is no execution command for the help information (S627: NO), the control unit 12 shifts the step process to S629.

  When it is determined that there is an execution command for the help information (S627: YES), the control unit 12 displays the detailed content of the help information in which the execution command is detected on the display unit 30 (S628). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the control unit 12 displays new arrival help screen data 42 indicating the detailed content of the help information for which the execution command has been detected on the display unit 30. FIG. 4 shows the detailed contents of the image quality setting method displayed when the control unit 12 detects an execution command for the image quality setting method in the new arrival help screen data 42 shown in FIG. 3 (F) or FIG. 3 (H). It is the figure which showed the example of a display. In step S628, the control unit 12 adds “1” to the display count stored in the display count memory 24 in association with the help information on which the detailed content is displayed, and updates the display count.

  The control unit 12 determines whether there is an OK input (S629). In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3E to 3H, the new arrival help screen data 42 has an OK button 302. When the control unit 12 detects an execution command for the OK button 302, the control unit 12 displays the menu screen data 40 displayed immediately before the new arrival help screen data 42 displayed on the display unit 30 is displayed. . For example, when the control unit 12 detects an execution command for the OK button 302 when the new arrival help screen data 42 shown in FIG. Menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. The OK input is an execution command for the OK button 302. In step S629, the control unit 12 determines whether an execution command for the OK button 302 has been detected.

  When it is determined that there is no OK input (S629: NO), the control unit 12 moves the step process to S627. When it is determined that there is an OK input (S629: YES), the control unit 12 displays again the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 before the help information item is displayed (S630). This process ends. In S630, specifically, the control unit 12 displays the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 in S624.

  As a result of the determination in S624, if it is determined that the execution command is from the PC (S624: YES), the control unit 12 reads the help information stored in the RAM 20 in S622, and the display order determined in S622, The read help information is associated and transmitted to the PC 50 (S632), and this process ends. In S632, the control unit 12 transmits a help information display command (corresponding to a display command of the present invention) to the PC 50 together with the display order and help information. The help information display command is to create new help screen data 42 in which help information transmitted from the control unit 12 to the PC 50 is arranged in the display order associated with each of the help information, and display it on the display unit 56 of the PC 50. Information indicating an instruction.

  Here, the new arrival help display process in the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 2A is stored in the functional hierarchy memory 23 as the hierarchical structure related to the copy function. In the display count memory 24, as shown in FIG. 2B, help information related to each function and the display count are stored in association with each other.

  In this embodiment, in FIG. 2A, the basic copy 202 is executed 12 times, the watermark copy 204 is executed 10 times, and the label copy 206 is executed 1 time. It is stored in the execution count memory 25 in association with the function. Further, in the present embodiment, the predetermined number of executions determined by the control unit 12 in S508 shown in FIG. 5 is set to 10 times. Therefore, in S508 shown in FIG. The basic functions are a basic copy 202 and a watermark copy 204.

  For a plurality of small functions into which the basic copy 202 is subdivided, the executed flag corresponding to the magnification 208, the paper 212, and the color / monochrome 216 is turned on, and the executed flag corresponding to the image quality 210 and the duplex / single-sided 214 is turned off. Is stored in the executed flag memory 26. 3A to 3D, when the control unit 12 receives an execution command from the MFP 10 in each menu screen data 40, the control unit 12 starts executing the main process shown in FIG. I decided to.

  3A to 3D show transition examples of the menu screen data 40 in the case of the display example K. FIG. That is, based on the execution command from the operation unit 28 in the case of the display example K, the control unit 12 displays the menu screen data 40 on the display unit 30 in the order of FIG. 3 (A) to FIG. 3 (D). The new arrival help screen data 42 shown in FIGS. 3 (E) to 3 (H) is displayed in the state where the menu screen data 40 shown in each of FIGS. 3 (A) to 3 (D) is displayed. When the input of the new arrival help button 306 is received, it is displayed on the display unit 30.

  First, FIG. 3A will be described. The menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3A is the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 when the control unit 12 receives an execution command for the copy 200 and starts executing the main process shown in FIG. It is. In FIG. 3A, it is assumed that the operation immediately before the execution command for the copy 200 is not a return input. In S510 shown in FIG. 5, since the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 whose number of executions is a predetermined number or more are displayed on the display unit 30 (S510: YES), the control unit 12 performs the new arrival help display process shown in FIG. The execution of (S512) is started.

  In FIG. 6, since the control unit 12 receives an execution command for the copy 200 from the MFP 10 at the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5) (S600: NO), the control unit 12 displays the menu in FIG. As shown in the screen data 40, a new help button 306 is displayed on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10 (S602).

  If there is an input to the new arrival help button 306 by the operation unit 28 (S606: YES), the operation immediately before the execution command for the copy 200 is not a return input (S610: NO), so the control unit 12 performs step processing in S616. Migrate to

  The control unit 12 selects the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 that are executed a predetermined number of times or more out of the basic copy 202, the watermark copy 204, and the label copy 206 that constitute the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. Read (S616). Since the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 are basic functions, the control unit 12 detects the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 as unexecuted functions (S618).

  In step S620, the control unit 12 reads the basic copy method display count 3 times, which is help information related to the basic copy 202, and the watermark copy method display count 5 times, which is help information related to the watermark copy 204 (FIG. 2B). )reference). The control unit 12 determines a display order of, for example, “1: basic copy method, 2: watermark copy method” in ascending order of display times (S622).

  At the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5), the control unit 12 accepts an execution command for the copy 200 from the MFP 10 (S624: NO), so that the control unit 12 determines as shown in FIG. The new arrival help screen data 42 in which the titles of the help information are arranged in the displayed display order is displayed on the display unit 30 (S626). In this embodiment, since the display order is “1: basic copy method, 2: watermark copy method”, the control unit 12 displays the basic copy method and the watermark copy method in order from the top in step S626.

  When there is an input to the OK button 302 by the operation unit 28 (S629: YES), the control unit 12 displays the menu screen data 40 of FIG.

  FIG. 3B will be described. The menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3B is the main screen shown in FIG. 5 when the control unit 15 receives an execution command for the basic copy 202 in a state where the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. This is the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 when the execution of the process is started. In such a case, it is stored in the RAM 20 that the operation immediately before the execution command for the basic copy 202 is an execution command for the copy 200. In S510 shown in FIG. 5, the magnification 208, the image quality 210, the paper 212, the duplex / single side 214, and the color / monochrome 216, which are small functions obtained by subdividing the basic copy 202 whose execution count is a predetermined number or more, are displayed on the display unit 30. (S510: YES), the control unit 12 starts executing the new arrival help display process (S512) shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, when the execution of the main process (see FIG. 5) is started, the control unit 12 receives an execution command for the basic copy 202 from the MFP 10 (S600: NO). As shown in the menu screen data 40, a new help button 306 is displayed on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10 (S602).

  If there is an input to the new arrival help button 306 by the operation unit 28 (S606: YES), the operation immediately before the execution command for the basic copy 202 is an execution command for the copy 200 (S610: NO). Shifts the step process to S616.

  3B includes the magnification 208, the image quality 210, the paper 212, the duplex / single-sided 214, and the color / monochrome 216 included in the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. Therefore, the control unit 12 reads out these small functions (S616). The control unit 12 detects, as an unexecuted function, the image quality 210 and the duplex / single-sided 214 whose execution flag is off among the magnification 208, the image quality 210, the paper 212, the duplex / single-sided 214, and the color / monochrome 216. (S618).

  In S620, the control unit 12 reads 0 times of display of the image quality setting method, which is help information regarding the image quality 210, and 2 times of display of the double-sided copy method, which is help information regarding the duplex / single-sided 214 (FIG. 2B). )reference). The control unit 12 determines a display order of, for example, “1: image quality setting method, 2: double-sided copy method”, in ascending order of display times (S622).

  At the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5), the control unit 12 receives an execution command for the basic copy 202 from the MFP 10 (S624: NO), so that the control unit 12 as shown in FIG. New arrival help screen data 42 in which the titles of help information are arranged in the determined display order is displayed on the display unit 30 (S626). In this embodiment, the display order is “1: image quality setting method, 2: double-sided copy method”, and therefore, the image quality setting method and the double-sided copy method are displayed in order from the top.

  In the state where the new arrival help screen data 42 shown in FIG. 3F is displayed on the display unit 30, for example, when the control unit 12 detects an execution command for the image quality setting method (S627: YES), the control unit 12 The new arrival help screen data 42 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 30 (S628). The new arrival help screen data 42 shown in FIG. 4 shows detailed contents in the image quality setting method. When the detailed content in the help information as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, the control unit 12 adds “1” to the display count stored in the display count memory 24 in association with the help information, Update the display count. For example, when the new arrival help screen data 42 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 30, the control unit 12 adds “1” to the display count stored in the display count memory 24 in association with the image quality setting method. Then, the display count is updated.

  When there is an input to the OK button 302 by the operation unit 28 (S629: YES), the control unit 12 displays the menu screen data 40 of FIG.

  FIG. 3C will be described. The menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3 (C) is the state in which the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3 (B) is displayed, and the controller 15 accepts an input to return and executes the main process shown in FIG. This is menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 when it is started. In FIG. 3C, before the return input, the RAM 20 stores that the execution command for the copy 200 and the execution command for the basic copy 202 have been accepted. The operation immediately before the return input related to the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5) is an execution command for the basic copy 202. In S510 shown in FIG. 5, since the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 whose execution count is a predetermined number or more are displayed in the menu screen data 40 (S510: YES), the control unit 12 displays the new arrival help shown in FIG. The execution of the process (S512) is started.

  In FIG. 6, since the control unit 12 receives an execution command for the copy 200 from the MFP 10 at the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5) (S600: NO), the control unit 12 displays the menu screen of FIG. As shown in the data 40, a new help button 306 is displayed on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10 (S602).

  When there is an input to the new arrival help button 306 by the operation unit 28 (S606: YES), the operation immediately before the return input related to the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5) is an execution command for the basic copy 202. (S610: NO), the control unit 12 shifts the step process to S616.

  The control unit 12 reads the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 as in the case of FIG. 3A (S616). Since the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 are basic functions, the control unit 12 detects the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 as unexecuted functions (S618).

  In S620, as in the case of FIG. 3A, the control unit 12 reads the basic copy method display count 3 times and the watermark copy method display count 5 times (see FIG. 2B), and S622. The display order of “1: basic copy method, 2: watermark copy method” is determined in ascending order of display times.

  At the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5), the control unit 12 accepts a return input from the MFP 10 (S624: NO), so that the control unit 12 displays the determined display as shown in FIG. New arrival help screen data 42 in which the titles of the help information are arranged in order is displayed on the display unit 30 (S626). In this embodiment, as in FIG. 3E, the display order is “1: basic copy method, 2: watermark copy method”, and therefore, the basic copy method and the watermark copy method are displayed in order from the top. The

  When there is an input to the OK button 302 by the operation unit 28 (S629: YES), the control unit 12 displays the menu screen data 40 of FIG.

  FIG. 3D will be described. The menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3D is the main screen shown in FIG. 5 when the control unit 15 receives an execution command for the basic copy 202 in a state where the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. This is the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 when the execution of the process is started. In FIG. 3D, before the execution command for the basic copy 202, the RAM 20 stores that the execution command for the copy 200, the execution command for the basic copy 202, and the return input have been accepted. Further, the operation immediately before the execution command for the basic copy 202 related to the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5) is a return input. In S510 shown in FIG. 5, the magnification 208, the image quality 210, the paper 212, the duplex / single side 214, and the color / monochrome 216, which are small functions obtained by subdividing the basic copy 202 whose execution count is a predetermined number or more, are displayed on the display unit 30. (S510: YES), the control unit 12 starts executing the new arrival help display process (S512) shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, when the execution of the main process (see FIG. 5) is started, the control unit 12 accepts an execution command for the basic copy 202 from the MFP 10 (S600: NO). As shown in the menu screen data 40, a new help button 306 is displayed on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10 (S602).

  When there is an input to the new arrival help button 306 by the operation unit 28 (S606: YES), an execution command for the basic copy 202 received by the control unit 15 in a state where the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. Since the operation received by the control unit 12 in the state in which the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3B is displayed is a return input (S610: YES). The unit 12 moves the step process to S612. The menu screen data 40 (see FIG. 3D) displayed on the display unit 30 is the menu screen data 40 (see FIG. 3B) displayed at the time of the return input (S612: YES). The control unit 12 moves the step process to S614.

  The control unit 12 executes the basic copy 202, the watermark copy 204, and the label copy 206 that constitute the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. The copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 are read (S614).

  In S616, the magnification 208, the image quality 210, the paper 212, the duplex / single-sided 214, and the color / monochrome 216 constituting the menu screen data 40 shown in FIG. 3D are all small functions in which the basic copy 202 is subdivided. Therefore, the control unit 12 reads the magnification 208, the image quality 210, the paper 212, the double / single-sided 214, and the color / monochrome 216.

  In S618, since the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 are basic functions, the control unit 12 detects the basic copy 202 and the watermark copy 204 as unexecuted functions. In addition, the control unit 12 sets the image quality 210 and the duplex / single side 214 for which the execution flag is off among the magnification 208, the image quality 210, the paper 212, the duplex / single side 214, and the color / monochrome 216 as the unexecuted functions. To detect. That is, in the case of FIG. 3D, the control unit 12 detects the basic copy 202, the watermark copy 204, the image quality 210, and the duplex / single-sided 214 as unexecuted functions.

  In step S620, the control unit 12 reads the basic copy method display count 3 times, the watermark copy method display count 5 times, the image quality setting method display count 0 times, and the duplex copy method display count 2 times ( (See FIG. 2B). The control unit 12 determines the display order, for example, “1: image quality setting method, 2: double-sided copy method, 3: basic copy method, 4: watermark copy method” in ascending order of display times (S622).

  At the start of execution of the main process (see FIG. 5), the control unit 12 receives an execution command for the basic copy 202 from the MFP 10 (S624: NO), so that the control unit 12 as shown in FIG. New arrival help screen data 42 in which the titles of help information are arranged in the determined display order is displayed on the display unit 30 (S626). In this embodiment, since the display order is “1: image quality setting method, 2: double-sided copy method, 3: basic copy method, 4: watermark copy method”, the image quality setting method, double-sided copy method, basic copy method, watermark The copy methods are displayed in order from the top.

  When the new arrival help screen data 42 shown in FIG. 3H is displayed on the display unit 30, for example, when the control unit 12 detects an execution command for the image quality setting method (S627: YES), the control unit 12 Similarly to the case of FIG. 3B, the new arrival help screen data 42 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 30 (S628). When the detailed content in the help information as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, the control unit 12 adds “1” to the display count stored in the display count memory 24 in association with the help information, Update the display count.

  When there is an input to the OK button 302 by the operation unit 28 (S629: YES), the control unit 12 displays the menu screen data 40 of FIG.

  Next, new arrival help display processing in the PC 50 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This new arrival help display process is a process executed when the control unit 52 of the PC 50 receives a new arrival help button display command from the MFP 10. The new arrival button display command is information indicating an instruction to display a new arrival help button (not shown) on the display unit 56 of the PC 50, similarly to the new arrival help button 306 displayed on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10 shown in FIG.

  First, the control unit 52 displays a new arrival help button on the display unit 56 (S703). Since the display method of the new help button is the same as that of the MFP 10 (see S602 shown in FIG. 6), detailed description is omitted.

  The control unit 52 determines whether there is an input to the new arrival help button (S704). The input to the new arrival help button is an execution command for the new arrival help button by the operation unit 58 of the PC 50. That is, in S704, the control unit 52 determines whether or not an execution command for the new arrival help button displayed on the display unit 56 has been detected. When it is determined that there is no input for the new arrival help button (S704: NO), the control unit 52 ends this process.

  When it is determined that there is an input for the new arrival help button (S704: YES), the control unit 52 transmits input information of the new arrival help button to the MFP 10 (S708). The new help button input information is information indicating that the operation unit 58 has issued an execution command for the new help button displayed on the display unit 56.

  The control unit 52 determines whether or not information associated with the display order and help information has been received from the MFP 10 (S710). In step S <b> 710, the control unit 52 receives a help information display command from the MFP 10 together with the display order and help information. The help information display command is information indicating an instruction to create the new help screen data 42 in which the help information received from the MFP 10 is arranged in the display order associated with each help information and to display on the display unit 56. . When it is determined that the information in which the display order is associated with the help information has not been received from the MFP 10 (S710: NO), the control unit 52 repeats the process of S710 until it is determined that the information has been received from the MFP 10.

  When it is determined that the information in which the display order is associated with the help information is received from the MFP 10 (S710: YES), the control unit 52 receives the received help in the received display order based on the received help information display command. The information item is displayed on the display unit 56 (S712). Since the display method of the help information item is the same as that of the MFP 10 (see S626 shown in FIG. 6), detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The control unit 52 determines whether or not there is an execution command for the help information (S713). In S713, the control unit 52 determines whether or not an execution command for the help information item of the new arrival help screen data 42 displayed on the display unit 56 in S712 is detected. When it is determined that there is no execution command for the help information (S713: NO), the control unit 52 shifts the step process to S715.

  When it is determined that there is an execution command for the help information (S713: YES), the control unit 52 displays the detailed content of the help information in which the execution command is detected on the display unit 56 (S714). Since the display method in the detailed contents of the help information is the same as that in the case of the MFP 10 (see S628 shown in FIG. 6), detailed description is omitted. In step S <b> 714, the control unit 52 transmits to the MFP 10 an update command for updating the display count corresponding to the help information. The update command is an instruction to add “1” to the display count stored in the display count memory 24 of the MFP 10 in association with the help information on which the detailed content is displayed, and to update the display count. .

  The control unit 52 determines whether there is an OK input (S715). In the present embodiment, similarly to the OK button 302 displayed on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10, the new arrival help screen data 42 displayed on the display unit 56 of the PC 50 also has an OK button. Since the configuration of the OK button displayed on the display unit 56 of the PC 50 is the same as the configuration of the OK button 302 displayed on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10, detailed description thereof is omitted. The OK input is an execution command for the OK button, and in S715, the control unit 52 determines whether or not an execution command for the OK button has been detected.

  When it is determined that there is no OK input (S715: NO), the control unit 52 shifts the step process to S713. When it is determined that there is an OK input (S715: YES), the control unit 52 displays again the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 56 before the help information item is displayed (S718), This process ends. In S718, specifically, the control unit 52 displays the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 56 in S710.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of times the help information related to each of a plurality of functions is displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 is measured, and stored in the display number memory 24 for each help information. Then, the display order is determined in order from the help information with the smallest display count (see S622 shown in FIG. 6). When a plurality of help information is displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56, the plurality of help information is displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 in the determined display order (S626 shown in FIG. 6). Or refer to S712 shown in FIG. As a result, among the plurality of functions implemented in the MFP 10, the help information is displayed in order from the smallest number of displays, so that as many functions as possible can be recognized by the user.

  The functions in this embodiment include a basic function and a plurality of small functions obtained by subdividing the basic function, and the number of executions of the small function obtained by subdividing each basic function is measured for each basic function. And stored in the execution count memory 25. Then, the display order is determined in order from the help information with the smallest display count among the help information related to the basic function whose execution count is equal to or greater than the predetermined count and the small function obtained by subdividing the basic function (shown in FIG. 6). S616 to S622). In general, in a function group with high execution frequency, functions executed by a user are often fixed, and functions that are not executed are likely to end their roles without being recognized by the user. Therefore, since the help information related to the basic functions that are frequently executed by the user and the small functions in which the basic functions are subdivided, the help information is displayed in ascending order of the number of display times. Among them, it is possible to efficiently recognize a function that is highly likely not recognized by the user.

  In the present embodiment, a hierarchical structure in which a basic function is an upper layer and a plurality of small functions into which the basic function is subdivided is a lower layer is stored in the function hierarchy memory 23. Further, the menu screen data 40 (see FIG. 3A) related to a plurality of basic functions or the menu screen data 40 (refer to FIG. 3B) related to small functions are changed based on the hierarchical structure to display the display unit 30 or the display unit. 56. Then, from the menu screen data 40 related to the small function displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 (see FIG. 3B), the menu screen data 40 related to the basic function that is the upper layer of the small function (FIG. 3C ))), That is, when an execution command for the return button 300 is received (S610: YES in FIG. 6), among the help information related to the basic function, the display order is determined in order from the help information with the smallest display count. (See S616 to S622 shown in FIG. 6). In general, when the execution command for the return button 300 is received in a state where the menu screen data 40 related to the small function is displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56, the user makes a mistake or the user desires It can be assumed that the operation is not known. Therefore, it is highly possible that the information is not recognized by the user by displaying in order from the help information having the smaller display count among the help information constituting the menu screen data 40 related to the basic function transitioned by the execution command for the return button 300. The function can be recognized reliably.

  From the menu screen data 40 related to the small function displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 (see FIG. 3B), the menu screen data 40 related to the basic function that is the upper layer of the small function (see FIG. 3C). In the state where the menu screen data 40 related to the basic function is displayed by accepting the transition instruction to), the transition instruction to the menu screen data 40 related to the small function that is a lower layer of the basic function (see FIG. 3D), That is, when an execution command for a basic function is received (S610: YES, S612: YES shown in FIG. 6), the display order is determined in order from the help information with the smallest display count among the help information related to the basic function and the small function ( (See S616 to S622 shown in FIG. 6). In general, when the menu screen data 40 related to the small function is displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56, an execution command for the return button 300 is accepted and the menu screen data 40 related to the basic function is displayed. When an execution command for any one of the basic functions is received, it can be assumed that the user does not know the operation related to the basic function and the small function. Therefore, among the help information related to the basic function and the small function constituting the menu screen data 40 displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 when the execution command is received, the help information with the smaller display count is displayed in order. Thus, it is possible to more reliably recognize a function that is highly likely not recognized by the user.

  Among the plurality of small functions, an unexecuted function that has not been executed is detected (see S618 in FIG. 6), and among the help information regarding the detected unexecuted function, the display order is determined in order from the help information with the smallest display count. (See S620 to S622 shown in FIG. 6). Then, only the help information regarding the unexecuted function is displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 in the determined display order (see S626 shown in FIG. 6 or S712 shown in FIG. 7). Thereby, since the help information regarding the function that is not executed by the user is surely displayed, it is possible to make the user recognize as many unexecuted functions as possible.

  In the present embodiment, the MFP 10 can communicate with the PC 50 that can display help information regarding each function of a plurality of functions. When an execution command for instructing execution of each function is received from the PC 50, the MFP 10 starts with help information that is displayed less frequently. A help information display command for displaying the help information on the display unit 56 of the PC 50 in order is transmitted to the PC 50 (see S632 shown in FIG. 6). Generally, when an execution command is received from the PC 50, it is highly likely that the user is continuing the operation on the PC 50. Therefore, by displaying help information on the display unit 56 of the PC 50, as many functions as possible can be surely recognized by the user. Can be made.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various aspect can be taken in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  In the present embodiment, the hierarchical structure of all functions related to the copy function shown in FIG. 2A has been described as an example, but the same applies to other functions such as a print function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function that the MFP 10 has. It may have a hierarchical structure. Further, a hierarchical structure of all functions of the MFP 10 in which the hierarchical structures of these functions are combined into one may be formed. In such a case, a plurality of functions into which small functions are subdivided are configured in a lower layer of the small functions, and more layers are formed.

  In the present embodiment, for a plurality of small functions, an executed flag indicating whether or not each small function is actually executed by the MFP 10 is stored in the executed flag memory 26 in association with each small function, and executed. A small function whose flag is off was detected as an unexecuted function (see S618 shown in FIG. 6). However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and an unexecuted flag indicating whether each small function has not been executed in the MFP 10 is stored in association with each small function, and the unexecuted flag is set. A small function that is on may be detected as an unexecuted function.

  In the present embodiment, only unexecuted functions that have not been executed among a plurality of small functions are detected (see S618 shown in FIG. 6), and new arrival help screen data 42 is configured, and the display unit 30 or the display unit 56 is displayed. It had been. However, the present proposal is not limited to this, and the newly arrived help screen data 42 may be configured by an executed function among a plurality of small functions and displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56. In such a case, the number of times of execution for each basic function and small function is stored in the number-of-executions memory 25, and the new arrival help screen data 42 is configured only from functions whose number of executions of each function is less than a predetermined number. It is preferable to display on the screen. Although the new help screen data 42 is composed of only functions that are executed less than a predetermined number of times and are displayed on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56, although there is an experience of execution, operations for the function can still be learned. Since functions that are not frequently executed are displayed, functions that are not learned can be surely recognized in addition to functions that are not recognized by the user.

  In the present embodiment, when an execution command for a function of the MFP 10 is issued by the PC 50, the execution command is transmitted to the MFP 10, whereby the control unit 12 of the MFP 10 performs main processing (see FIG. 5) and a new help display in the MFP 10. Processing (see FIG. 6) is executed, and the control unit 12 of the MFP 10 has created new arrival help screen data 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and main processing (see FIG. 5) and new arrival help display processing (see FIG. 6) executed by the control unit 12 of the MFP 10 in this embodiment are controlled by the PC 50. It may be executed by the unit 52. In such a case, the storage unit 54 of the PC 50 has the same configuration as the storage unit 14 of the MFP 10, and the new arrival help screen data 42 can be created by the control unit 52 of the PC 50.

  In the present embodiment, when the execution instruction for the function of the MFP 10 is issued by the PC 50, the help information is displayed on the display unit 56 of the PC 50, regardless of the type of function, in the same manner as when the function is displayed on the display unit 30 of the MFP 10. It had been. In general, among the functions of the MFP 10, functions that can be executed from the PC 50 are limited. For example, when data created on the PC 50 is printed by the MFP 10, an execution command can be issued from the PC 50, but an execution command from the PC 50 is often impossible for copying a recording medium or the like. Therefore, only help information related to functions that can be executed by the PC 50 may be displayed on the display unit 56 of the PC 50. In this case, a flag indicating whether or not an execution command from the PC 50 is possible is stored in the flash memory 22 or the like in association with each function, and based on the flag, help information regarding the function is transmitted to the PC 50. It may be determined whether or not.

  In the present embodiment, in S712 shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 52 of the PC 50 receives new help screen data 42 in which items of received help information are arranged in the received display order based on the help information display command received from the MFP 10. Was created and displayed on the display unit 56. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in S632 shown in FIG. 6, new arrival help screen data 42 in which items of help information are arranged in the display order determined in S622 is created by the control unit 12 of the MFP 10. The control unit 52 of the PC 50 may receive the new arrival help screen data 42 and display it on the display unit 56.

  In this embodiment, the MFP 10 has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various apparatuses such as a printer and a facsimile can be used as long as the apparatus has a plurality of functions. The form of can be adopted.

  In the present embodiment, the operation unit 28 or the operation unit 58 is configured by hard keys such as a direction key, a keyboard, and a mouse. For example, the operation unit 28 or the operation unit 58 is provided on a touch panel overlaid on the display unit 30 or the display unit 56. It may be composed of soft keys.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 5, S504 corresponds to the execution frequency measuring means of the present invention. 6 and 7, S618 is the non-execution detecting means of the present invention, S622 is the display order determining means of the present invention, S626 and S712 are the display control means of the present invention, and S628 and S714 are the display of the present invention. The number measuring means S632 corresponds to the display command transmitting means of the present invention.

1 Image forming system 10 MFP
12, 52 Control unit 14, 54 Storage unit 16 ROM
17 Control program 18 Help information memory 20 RAM
22 Flash memory 23 Function layer memory 24 Display count memory 25 Execution count memory 26 Execution flag memory 28, 58 Operation unit 30, 56 Display unit 38, 60 Network I / F
40 Menu screen data 42 New help screen data 50 PC
300 Back button 302 OK button 304 Help button 306 New help button

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus having a display unit capable of executing a plurality of functions and capable of displaying help information regarding each function of the plurality of functions,
A display count measuring means for measuring the number of times the help information is displayed on the display unit, and storing the display count for each help information;
Display order determining means for determining the display order in order from help information with a small number of display times stored by the display number measuring means;
When displaying a plurality of the help information on the display unit, a display control unit that displays the help information on the display unit in a display order determined by the display order determining unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The function includes a basic function and a plurality of small functions obtained by subdividing the basic function.
The display number measuring means measures the number of times the help information related to the basic function is displayed and the number of times the help information related to the small function is displayed, and stores it for each help information.
For each of the basic functions, an execution frequency measuring unit that measures the number of executions of a small function obtained by subdividing each basic function and stores the number of executions is provided.
The display order determination means includes the display count of help information related to the basic function in which the execution count measured by the execution count measurement section is equal to or greater than a predetermined count and the small function into which the basic function is subdivided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display order is determined in order from help information having a small display count stored by the measuring unit. The function includes a basic function and a plurality of small functions obtained by subdividing the basic function.
The display number measuring means measures the number of times the help information related to the basic function is displayed and the number of times the help information related to the small function is displayed, and stores it for each help information.
Hierarchical storage means for storing a hierarchical structure in which the basic function is an upper layer and the plurality of small functions into which the basic function is subdivided are stored as lower layers;
A plurality of display information related to the basic function or display information related to the small function based on a hierarchical structure stored by the hierarchical storage means, and a hierarchical display means for displaying on the display unit;
Upper transition means for receiving a transition instruction from display information related to the small function displayed on the display unit to display information related to basic functions stored in the hierarchical storage means as an upper layer of the small function;
With
The display order determining means, when receiving a transition instruction from the higher order transition means, sequentially determines the display order from the help information with the smaller display count stored in the display count measuring means among the help information related to the basic function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Comprising lower transition means for receiving a transition instruction from display information related to the basic function displayed on the display unit to display information related to a small function stored in the hierarchical storage means as a lower layer of the basic function;
The display order determining means relates to the basic function and the small function when the transition instruction is received by the lower transition means in a state where the display information related to the basic function is displayed by receiving the transition instruction by the upper transition means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, in the help information, the display order is determined in order from help information having a smaller display count stored by the display count measuring means. Of the plurality of small functions, comprising non-execution detecting means for detecting an unexecuted function that has not been executed,
The display order determination means determines the display order in order from the help information with a small display count stored by the display count measurement means among the help information related to the non-execution function detected by the non-execution detection means,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit displays only help information related to the unexecuted function on the display unit in the display order determined by the display order determination unit. . It is possible to communicate with an information processing apparatus capable of displaying help information regarding each function of the plurality of functions,
Command receiving means for receiving an execution command for instructing execution of each function from the information processing apparatus;
Determining means for determining whether or not the execution instruction is received by the instruction receiving means;
If the display control unit determines that the execution command has been received by the determination unit, the display control unit outputs a display command to display the help information on the information processing device in the display order determined by the display order determination unit. Display command transmission means for transmitting to the device;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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